The Breeding Experiment - Laurann Dohner Page 0,42
because I’m the alien specialist. I’ve explained to him that anytime we visit a planet, I get sent samples from the surface to make sure there’s nothing that will hurt humans. I need that lab.”
The two investigators glanced at each other again.
Darla was bored, tired, and just wanted to see her sister. So far, all she’d been told was that Becky had cleared Medical with a clean bill of health and was being assigned a personal cabin after she was interviewed.
“Are we almost done here?” Darla bit her lip. “I’ve told you everything. Gnaw didn’t hurt me.”
“Only a few more questions.” Investigator Nells read something on the data pad before holding her gaze. “Where did the two of you sleep in your cell?”
“On the high exam bed.”
“Together?”
Darla nodded. “Yes. I was cold and scared. Gnaw kept me warm, and I felt safer with him next to me.”
“Why?” Investigator Grantor seemed to study her closely.
“Gnaw always put himself between me and the Elth when they entered that horrible cell. He made it clear they’d have to shoot through him to get to me.” Tears filled her eyes. “He’s a good man. I can’t say that enough. I was terrified the Elth would drag me away to kill me. Gnaw protected me. Otherwise, I never would have slept.”
“Have you ever had intercourse, Miss Mitt?” Investigator Grantor watched Darla intently.
“Irrelevant,” Dr. Brick quickly answered. “Don’t answer that, Miss Mitt.”
“It is relevant,” argued the investigator.
Dr. Brick shook her head. “She comes from Radison. You’re aware of that, and I have a feeling why you’re asking.”
Darla was confused. Dr. Brick appeared angry, glaring at the two investigators. “Why do they care?”
“I not only research aliens and run samples. I get bored. I download data on every planet our ship visits. Radison was established with some irregular laws that don’t conform to fleet standards.”
Dr. Brick narrowed her eyes at Grantor. “You’re trying to establish if she’s broken the law of never having sex before marriage on her planet, since she’s never taken a husband, which you could use against her. Let me be clear—section twenty-six, paragraph nine of booklet two of Civilian Rights states that while under the employment of the fleet, you can’t fire her for some asinine law that we don’t validate. I’ll also have you reference section eighty-two, paragraph three of the Incident Protocol booklet to remind you that she not only deserves compensation for the trauma she’s endured, but her job is secure.”
Grantor’s mouth fell open. “How in the hell do you know all that?”
Dr. Brick inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly. “As I said, I get bored. I remember almost everything I read.”
Nells cleared her throat. “We’re not attempting to slut-shame Miss Mitt, or get her fired. It’s a standard question we ask when there’s been sexual contact between two people where it normally wouldn’t have happened. If she had said yes, she’s had sex before, we’d have let it go. If she hasn’t ever had sex, we’d suggest she speak to a therapist, since that was her first experience touching or being touched.”
Grantor recovered and took a sip of water. “It’s illegal to have sex before marriage on Radison? I wasn’t even aware of that. What kind of bullshit law is that?”
“It is total shat,” Darla answered. “The men make our laws. Women are second-class citizens.”
“Shat?” Grantor arched her eyebrow.
“It’s also against the law for women to curse. We get punished. Public spankings, if that’s your next question.”
“Fuck,” Nells muttered. Then she snickered at the other investigator. “Your lawyer sister would have to defend me at my murder trial after I killed the son of a bitch who tried to smack my ass, Gloria.” She paused. “I say we’re done here. How about you? I’m thinking Doctor Jenson is as clueless about women as my ex. I don’t see a victim here. I see a survivor.”
Grantor nodded. “But we had to investigate.” She placed her pad down. “I’m very sorry for what you went through, Miss Mitt. I’m just glad your cellmate was a good man, as you put it. We’ve seen cases where prisoners turned on each other, and the women were more abused by their own crewmates than their captors. I’m glad this wasn’t one of those situations.”
Dr. Brick stood. “We’re free to go?”
“Yes.” Grantor nodded.
Darla rose to her feet. “Is Gnaw in trouble? He shouldn’t be. I’m alive because of him.”
“Not according to us. The other investigators have to clear him.” Nells smiled at her. “You’ve been given